Become What You Are by Alan W. Watts (EPUB)

Description

The prominent Zen Buddhist scholar and author of The Wisdom of Insecurity draws on Taoism, Christianity, and other world religions to explore the dilemma of seeking your true selfIn this collection of writings, including nine new chapters never before available in book form, Alan Watts displays the intelligence, playfulness of thought, and simplicity of language that has made him so perennially popular as an interpreter of Eastern thought for Westerners. He draws on a variety of religious traditions, and covers topics such as the challenge of seeing one’s life “just as it is,” the Taoist approach to harmonious living, the limits of language in the face of ineffable spiritual truth, and the psychological symbolism of Christian thought.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: From the Inside Flap exists only at this very moment, and in this moment it is infinite and eternal. For the present moment is infinitely small; before we can measure it, it has gone, and yet it exists forever…. You may believe yourself out of harmony with life and its eternal Now; but you cannot be, for you are life and exist Now.”–from Become What You AreIn this collection of writings, including nine new chapters never before available in book form, Watts displays the intelligence, playfulness of thought, and simplicity of language that has made him so perennially popular as an interpreter of Eastern thought for Westerners. He draws on a variety of religious traditions, and covers topics such as the challenge of seeing one’s life “just as it is,” the Taoist approach to harmonious living, the limits of language in the face of ineffable spiritual truth, and the psychological symbolism of Christian thought. From the Back Cover “Life exists only at this very moment, and in this moment it is infinite and eternal. For the present moment is infinitely small; before we can measure it, it has gone, and yet it exists forever…. You may believe yourself out of harmony with life and its eternal Now; but you cannot be, for you are life and exist Now.”-from “Become What You Are In this collection of writings, including nine new chapters never before available in book form, Watts displays the intelligence, playfulness of thought, and simplicity of language that has made him so perennially popular as an interpreter of Eastern thought for Westerners. He draws on a variety of religious traditions, and covers topics such as the challenge of seeing one’s life “just as it is,” the Taoist approach to harmonious living, the limits of language in the face of ineffable spiritual truth, and the psychological symbolism of Christian thought. About the Author Alan Watts (1915–1973) was a renowned lecturer and the author of nearly thirty books, including The Way of Zen and The Book. Read more

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This book can’t fix you. None can. But it might make you better equipped to get there.Watts is the western voice for eastern thought. Brilliant orator, iconic beard, and graceful, funny, impish and wise writer. DID I MENTION THE BEARD? Gaze upon it. NO. Don’t look away. Look harder. Peer longer. Yearn for its acceptance.Actually, don’t yearn. Don’t worship beards, no matter how magnificent. Don’t look elsewhere for answers to the questions of you.This book, yes, technically, is “elsewhere.” But it’s not an answer. It’s a map that might guide you to your own. Check it out.And grow a beard. Ladies too.

⭐If you are interested in expanding your mind and becoming the person you are at a deeper level, then this is a must read. This book is a collection of several of Alan Watts’ smaller essays that focus around living in the moment. You are a living creature that cannot escape the present. Too often are our minds occupied on events that happened in the past, or on trying to forecast events in the future. Both of those thought processes are happening in the here and now. The mind and body exist in a world in motion, and there is no stopping this.Additionally, he discusses how forces seemingly in opposition are necessary in life, the yin and yang. For without one, we would not know the other. We would not know love without pain, night without day, life without death… Watts takes an opportunity to delve further into Taoism as a basis for living in peace and harmony with the way of the world. The Tao is a complex topic to truly grasp, and one that you may never fully ascertain due to the nature of the Tao.I admit that I had to read several of the chapters multiple times to really grasp the deeper content that Watts was trying to get across. However, his writing flows like a river from thought to thought, painting you a vivid picture with colorful language. The metaphors he uses jump off the page and into your imagination. You walk alongside his travellers in their journey to seek answers to life’s toughest riddles while simultaneously questioning everything you thought you knew.After reading this book, I found a new peace in my life that had not been there before. I realized that I am not able to control everything and should enjoy the life I have while I am still here. I also realized that there is nothing to fear in death. It is the other part of life; it is what we all knew before we were born, and what we will all know once more. There was no pain in those moments before birth, as there will be no moments of pain after death.With the help of this book, as well as The Wisdom of Insecurity and several of his lectures on YouTube, I have started to take more chances and am no longer as afraid to try new things that once scared me. For instance, I have dreamed of becoming a DJ for many years now, but have always been too afraid to fail and for what my social circle would think if I told them I wanted to pursue a career in music instead of education. However, after reading this book, I found a new confidence within myself and enrolled in a two year DJ program. If there is something that you are afraid to do, after reading this book, I believe you will have found the courage to do it.I believe Alan Watts was on to something that we all need to be in tune with and reading Become What You Are is the first step down an unknown path, but it is your path.

⭐I left my last copy on a flight heading back from Havana. My friends and I joked about who would find this book and what they might think when they read it. It has the ability to change your entire way of looking at the world. I highly recommend it.

⭐If you’re buying this you probably already have a bit of watts knowledge. It’s 100% worth it. Nice cover too.

⭐Was a gift for my hubby and he loves Alan Watts. It’s an excellent read and a perfect fit for someone who loves and appreciates Alan

⭐I really enjoyed learning about dualism, Taoism and many other religions. I loved how he explained the strengths and weakness of various religious.

⭐Watts is my favorite Buddhist philosopher for his practical approach to addressing life’s most complex concepts with easily comprehended analogies. His unapologetic points are made clearly and he doesn’t mince words. Great book for people at every level in their own consciousness evolving journey.

⭐Alan Watts was way ahead of his time. I’ve listened to several of his lectures but this is the first book of his that I’ve read. Although at times I feel his way of explaining things can be unnecessarily “wordy”, I still really enjoyed this book.

⭐I don’t think I am thick….but, honestly, I’ll read a chapter 4 or 5 times and I still don’t have a f****ing clue what I’ve just read. Total and utter, bull from start to finish. Very disappointing. I hate giving up on books so I’ve taken to pretending to read it in public places like trains whilst listening to the Athletico Mince podcast.

⭐its a heavy read, as simple thing is told in heavy words. as i already have my strong beliefs, i do not take all of whats written in this book for granted. though I can agree with one thing, that everything is mostly about the present, as time flies quick and crying about past experience or fears of future is draining and becomes a block for you to just feel good at the present. it mentions here that in a way you need to die (something like reach the bottom) to rebirth again, while still being alive, of course, but without reading it, that naturally happens in life anyway, and its up to the individual if you will let yourself fall, to bounce back to the only direction – up, or suffer from your own worries. as i said, its a read that has good points, but if you already have a belief you live on, it may be a bit hard to agree on everything, as i trust mostly the feeling where someones written or spoken words gives me a sudden enlightment without feeling any doubts. so its up to you if you feel like reading it. good luck ya’ll.

⭐Like most philosophers this book falls into the trap of contradicting itself confusing the reader and making little sense when closely read. The paragraphs are huge making it a difficult read . His audios are better though the ending also confuses. It’s strange all these great teachers but no one gets taught .

⭐Wonderful little introduction to Eastern philosophies with helpful connections made to Western traditions such as Christianity. A great read at any time but especially so during the current global crises the pandemic has highlighted.

⭐Always great to read Watts’ literature. All his work is a samey much and suchness as they all hinge around the true nature of the self from the eastern philosophical religio perspective and he presents us with easy analogies, and often ticklish humour, to understand Zen and Buddhism, etc.

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